Defence Mechanisms (OCR A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes

5.4.3 Defence Mechanisms

Defence mechanisms are psychological strategies that are unconsciously used to protect a person from unpleasant thoughts or feelings.

Repression: Forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind.

Denial: Refusal to acknowledge some aspects of reality.

Displacement: The unconscious transfer of an intense emotion from one object to another (taking out emotion on something else).

Regression: A return to a former or less developed state. (e.g.sucking thumb when stressed)

Accessing the Unconscious: Freud

Free association: A patient is encouraged to relax. A therapist sits behind them/ out of view. the patient talks freely about whatever comes to mind.

Freudian slips: When somebody uses the wrong word or phrase it may be giving an insight into their unconscious mind. (aka 'slip of the tongue).

Dream analysis: Freud believed the unconscious mind was revealed in dreams through symbols. It is a therapist's job to analyse and interpret these.